Myths and Facts About STIs Every Sexually Active Adult Should Know

More than 2 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs) are diagnosed annually in the United States, and globally, that number soars to nearly 400 million or more, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Despite how common they are, STIs are still often shrouded by myths and misinformation that could cause many people to delay regular testing or skip it altogether. In this post, John Terzian, MD, FACC, and our team at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, dispel some of these myths so you can take critical steps — like on-site STI testing — to protect yourself and your partners. 

Myth #1: If you don’t have symptoms, you don’t have an STI

Many people assume STIs always cause obvious symptoms, but that’s not true. Many infections cause no noticeable symptoms early on. A person can look and feel completely healthy while still carrying an infection.

Even over time, symptoms can be very subtle and hard to spot without testing. In the meantime, your symptoms may cause serious complications internally, including scarring, chronic pain, and fertility problems. You could also spread the infection to others without even knowing it. 

Myth #2: STIs only affect people with multiple partners

Having more than one partner does increase your STI exposure risk, but you can still “catch” an STI with a single intimate partner. It only takes one encounter with an infected person to become infected yourself. Even people in long-term relationships can become infected if their partner had a previous exposure and is carrying a “silent” infection.

Myth #3: Using protection makes STI testing unnecessary

Consistently using condoms and other forms of “barrier protection” can considerably decrease your risk of contracting an STI. But as effective as these methods may be, they’re not 100% foolproof; the risk of infection is still present.

Some infections can spread through skin-to-skin contact in areas not covered by condoms, while other infections can happen if you don’t use condoms correctly — for instance, if you put a condom on in a hurry, if it breaks during use, or if you don’t use them every time you have any type of sex.

Myth #4: Only certain types of sex cause infection

Some people think they can only become infected through oral or anal sex, but again, that’s not true. Any type of sex carries an STI risk — oral, anal, or vaginal. Even skin-on-skin contact without any type of penetration can lead to infection, depending on the type and stage of the infection.

Myth #5: If you have an STI, your sex life is over

This myth is completely false, and unfortunately, it also stirs up a lot of fear that could prevent people from getting tested. Most STIs are completely treatable with prompt treatment, eliminating the risk of transmission. Even STIs that “stick around” can be managed effectively, so you can protect yourself and your partner.

Myth #6: If you’ve had an STI once, you can’t get it again

While it’s true many STIs can be successfully treated with medication, treatment does not provide immunity, and having a specific type of infection doesn’t mean you can’t get the same infection again in the future. Practicing safe sex and getting tested regularly are both still essential for maintaining your health and the health of your partner.

The importance of regular testing

Sexually transmitted infections are far more common than many people realize. The good news is, regular testing combined with safe sex practices can keep you and your partner safe. How often you should be tested depends largely on lifestyle factors and personal history, and our team can help you decide what testing schedule works best for you.

To schedule an STI test or to learn more about staying healthy at every stage of life, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, today.